
Class r ^ \ 
Rook . /4 33 4^ 



Copyright N°_ 



COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr 





NQUIN 

ILLUSTRATED. 



^m 



CONTENTS. 






Chapter I, BEFORE THE FORTIES. 

History of tJfe Early ^Settlement of Algonquin 
and Vicinity. 

Chapter II, HALF CENTURY OF PROGRESS, 

From the Land Sale to the Present Time. 

Chapter III, SOCIAL & EDUCATIONAL FEATURES. 
Churches, Societies and School. 

Chapter IV, COMMERCIAL ASPECTS. 

Importance as a Trade Center, with Sketches of 
Leading Business Men and Substantial Citizens. 

Chapter V, POSSIBILITIES FOR MANUFACTURE^ 

Developed and Undeveloped, 

Chapteh VI THE ^ESTHETIC SIDE. 

Grozvino in Favor as a Sum^ner Resort. 



m- 



'ff'. 



DECEMBER, 1894. 



/^^V 






@LX ON 

F. B. ThreadQ-old, 



.;:]MC):G.'-i^nderson 



ALGONQUIN. 



For a 

SMOOTH SHAVE 
of ARTISTIC HAIR-CUT 



.^Si ilijm^ " ^MANUFACTURER 
and DEALER IN 

Choice Conlectioneri 



■■■mi ''4" 

WHOLESALE 
and RETAIL. 



Razofs Honed to Order. 

Agent for Elgin Steam Laundry. 
Best Cigars in Town. 



Leave your measure for a 
Suit of Clothes or an 
Overcoat, . . Agent for 
Best Chicago Houses. 



A '.so 
FRUITS, NUTS, CIGARS, TO 
BACCO, Etc. 



KTLDAHUS 

PHOTO STUDIO 



DUNDEE, - - L- 

♦ > ♦ 

First Class ivork at ... cest 

Prices. . . Special Attention 

to Children and Groups. 

* * 
* 

FINE ENLA.RGEMENTS, 

-from the poorest tintvpe, even.— 
GIVE ME A TRIAL. 



J. P, 



..AFINELIM OF BAKERY GOODS. 

Lunche^ 5erVeel at ®U ^0^^'; 

Soft Drinks of Ail Kinds. . .Ex 
amine my line of Watches 
ClocKS and Je welry- 

IFyou need 

SHOES, 

Before trying elsezvhere, go to 

V.F.KOSAR, 

at Algonquin, xvho carries ti 
largest Assortment in this I 
cality. Mens, Women's an 
Children s Shoes from 75cts tt^ 
Babies Shoes from 75 ^^^ ^^^ 

Best Value for your money 
that you can get anywhere. 
See my new line of Gloves. 

y. p. KOSftH 




Wenholz & Philp. 

I880. 



ESTABLISHED: 



L. H. Wenholz, 

1894. 






Successor to 
WBNHOJLZ ^ PHILF*. 

General ^^V\S5<^«andise, 

^Isonquin, 111. 



M 



^1 





TURE aiK 




H W WU WI»IW>^»^»< 



JOHN JOHNSTON, 

Invites Attention to his Large and Com- 
plete line of 

fUrNitUre 



and Undertaking Goods. Deal with him 
and you will have no cause for regret. 

Undertaking 

in all its branches carefully attended to, 
Mr. Johnston is thoroughly versed in 
the" Art of 

EMBALMING. 

Algonquin, Illinois, 



GREGG & LAMSON 



AGENTS FOR 

''Acorn* 



an 



HBA.TIISG STOVBs\ 
d l?AAG?JSwS. ' 




For Cheapness, Cleanliness and Comfort 

try our SPLENDID OIL HEATER, 

We have always on hand a Complete Line 

of SHELF and BUILDERS' 

HA FID WARE, 

Cutlery, Tools, Guns, Revolvers, Ammuni- 
tion, Barb Wire, Tin-ware, Milk Cans, etc 
TIN SHOF* IN CONNHCTION. 

We keep only Reliable Goods, and Sell 
as Low as the Lowest. 

GREGG & LAMSON, 



Tlie Algonqoiii Phafmacy, 




QRU 



HAS A COMPLETE STOCK OF 

GS ^S° MEDICINES, 



JILL FANCY ^%° TOILET ARTICLES, 
lUEW BOOKS ^^^ STATIONERY, 
IMPORTED PERFUMES, 
pXQUISITE TOILET SOAPS, 

ARGESU-- PAINTS, OILS ^,r GLASS, 



LARGE SU 
PLY Ol 



QPLENDID CIGARS. 

C. T. DANIELS, 

Proprietor. 





Algonquin, 111., 




Is 52x80 feet, Has a Fine, Waxed Floor, uw 
obstructed by Stairways, Making it an 
Elegant Place for Parties. 



♦ ♦ 



jVetv !Sc;eiier|| 



♦ ♦ 



Has Been Added to the Equipment of the Stage, and 
Plays Can be Presented to Advantage. 

Terms Reasonable. 



T. KftBON, 

Proprietor. 



mm li 



!» ^ ^ 

Choice Wines, Liquors and Cigars at Mr. Kabon*s Sample 

Room Adjacent. 



\ 




Episcopal Church. 



Congregational Church. 




Algouquiu, Looking North-East. 




Free-Methodist Church. 



Public School 



Lutheran Church. 



IN AND ABOUT ALGONQUIN. 



ALGONQUIN ILLUSTRATED 

[Copyrighted 1894, by Grant C. Whitney. AIL rights Reserved. 



ALGONQUIN, ILL., DECEMBER, 1894. 



BEFORE THE FORTIES. 

History of the Early Settlement of Alconquin and 

Vicinity. 



THE pages of the past tare torn, faded, almost obliterated. 
We can scarcely realize from the fragmentary record left 
us, that the days of the decline of savagery and the dawn of civ- 
ilization in Illinois, belong in the same century with the better 
known achievements of later days. Yet true it is, and "before 
the forties" events of importance had occurred in the land 
that the dusky savage was to know no more as a home; blood 
had spilled, hearts had ached, hands had toiled, that in the valley 
of the Fox, posterity might have a better opportunity than an- 
cestry, to get ahead in the world. 

The defeat of Blackhawk and his braves, in '32. first turned the 
attention of the east to the land beyond Chicago, as a country in 
which it might eventually be safe to settle. Tales of the wonder- 
ful fertility of the prairies of nortliern Illinois, brought perhaps 
by some returned Indian fighter, had reached the ears of the 
Gillian's, the Chunn's, the Cornish's, and the Toles', in Virginia, 
Kentucky and New York, and whetted their desires toward emi- 
gration. Not that they loved the old home less, but the prospect 
of greater possessions in the new one, more. 

The earliest settler of this locality, and likewise of McHenry 
county, was Samuel Gillian, from Virginia, who located with his 
family on a claim on the west side of Fox river, just north-east 
of where Algonquin now stands, November 18, 1834. A daugh- 



4 ALGONQUIN ILLUSTRATED, 

ter died in 1835, ^"cl Mr. Gillian himself, in 1837. These were 
the first deaths in the locality, and a burying-ground was impro- 
vised on the (jillian homestead, in which a number of other old 
settlers were afterwards buried. Mrs. Gillian, the first white 
woman to make her home in the county, lived to a good old age, 
passing away but a few years since. The son Richard, the 
earliest settler of the county now living, with no kin left except a 
sister in Missouri, resides by himself on the old homestead, with 
no companion save his faithful dog. Carter Harrison, whom he de- 
clares to be of Indian descent. In 1835, John Gillian, a brother 
of Samuel, also of Virginia, came and made a claim on the east 
side of the river, on which he lived until 1882 when he removed 
to Nebraska where he has since died. 

Other early settlers of this locality were the Chunn's, from 
Maysvilie, Ky., who after sojourning for a short time 
in Indiana, and a couple of years at St. Charles in this state, set- 
tled near the site of Algonquin, in 1837. About the same time 
Dr. A. B. Cornish came here and started a store, and out of appre- 
ciation for this stroke of enterprise the forthcoming village was 
christened Cornish's Ferry. A post office was established — the 
first in the township — and Dr. Cornish was the first postmaster. 
A saw-mill was early erected, and in 1840, Wm. Powell built a 
log tavern on the site of the present hotel This did a flourishing 
business for a number of years, for the old State Road from Chi- 
cago to Galena crossed the river at this point. 

Such were the early beginnings of the village of Algonquin. 
What was accomplished, was done by dint of much labor and 
hardship, for those were the days when the wooden mouldboard 
sufficed, for lack of something better, to turn the prairie soil; 
a "brush" to harrow it; days when the loom, the spinning wheel 
and the rifle were essential furnishings of the kitchen; days of 
the rush-light and the tallow-dip. 




HALF CENTURY OF PROGRESS- 5 

HALF CENTURY OF PROGRESS, 

From the Land Sale to the Present Time. 



THE Land Sale marked an era in the history of this and all 
other localities similarly situated. Early settlers before the 
Government Survey had been made, had selected property that 
struck their fancy, with little regard to its size or boundaries. 
Conflicts arose over desirable claims, and it was not until the land 
was surveyed that the lines could be definitely established, and 
not until the land was put upon the market that each claimant 
could pay into Uncle Sam's coffers the requisite dollar and a quar- 
ter per acre, perfect his title and be sure of his own. The year 
'40. then, marks a transition from the guess-work of the thirties 
to the present system of definite lines and records. 

It would be difificult if not impossible to trace the events in the 
history of Algonquin in their chronological order, for much of its 
history is of the unwritten sort, entrusted to human memory, 
which too often proves treacherous. It may be said however that 
the village was of slow growth, there being little support for the 
first twenty years for any except a population of farmers residing 
quite outside its borders. Its name, upon the exit of Dr. Cornish, 
was changed to the more euphonious and less personal one of 
Osceola. Then, there proving to be another post office of that 
name, in Stark county, this state, another change was made to 
avoid confusion, and the naming of the place left to a Mr. Ed- 
wards, from Philadelphia, who named it after a favorite boat that 
he had owned, that had itself been named for the great Indian 
nation. Those who imagine that the name Algonquin is of In- 
dian extraction are not far wrong, though it came to this village 
at second-hand.. 

The forties were days of laxity in public morals here as well as 
in many other localities. Property owners, men assumed to be 
quite above the ordinary temptations to law-breaking, were sus- 
pected of complicity in counterfeiting, robbery and worse The 
late Allan Pinkerton, then a cooper at Dundee, succeec'ed in fer- 
reting out and breaking up a daring band of counterfeiters that 
had their headquarters on an island of three-quarters of an acre 
extent, about a mile up the river. Bogus Island was covered 



6 ALGOKQUIK ILLUSTRATED. 

with trees that made it a very secluded spot. But when the dam 
was put in for the River Mill, about 1850, the island was over- 
flowed and the trees soon died and were washed away. 

Milling, as the surrounding country became more developed, 
assumed great importance, and it was expected to develop in 
time large business interests for Algonquin. A charter to dam 
the river was secured from the state, and water-power sufificient 
to run four mills provided. Three of them have never been built, 
for scarcely had the first been equipped by Henry Petrie, when 
a rival mill was built across the river by Dr. Plumleigh, deriving 
its power from Cr/stal Lake outlet. These two mills, the one 
called the River Mill, and the other the Brick Mill passed through 
many hands but enjoyed a rival existence and did a good busi- 
ness down to the fall of the Brick Mill, due, it was thought, to un- 
dermining the foundations in putting in a turbine instead of the 
large overshot wheel originally furnishing power. Of late years 
there has not been custom grinding enough to support the second 
mill and there is little prospect that it will ever be rebuilt. 

The advent of the railroad in the fifties, opened up new possi- 
bilities for the citizens of Algonquin and vicinity, as it did for 
many other localities in the west and northwest.. More ready 
access to market meant greater returns for labor, and more of the 
conveniences of life. Land increased in value, and it became 
possible for a farmer to acquire a competence, give up hard work 
and spend his declining years in a cosy home in the village. Thus 
Algonquin has gained some of its best citizens; the condensing 
factory has brought in others, and still there is room for more. 

Many other features of local history come up incidentally in 
the pages that follow, and it is unnecessary to refer to them 
here. It remains but to mention one occurrence which created 
tremendous excitement at the time, and opened up a mystery 
that has never been cleared away, — we refer to the unearthing of 
several human skeletons in a hollow not far from the depot, by 
Wm. Lade who was digging a drain for a cheese factory then in 
process of erection. This was in 1873. Many who examined 
the remains declared them to be those of white men, and many 
different tales of wholesale assassination were told to account for 
the presence of the bones in that out-of-the-way place, but none 
of these was ever corroborated, and ..the excitement finally died 
out. Whatever it may have been in years gone by, Algonquin 
is now as safe and peaceable a community as one could wish, in 
which to dwell. The attention of the reader is invited to the 
pages that follow. 




SOME REPRESENTATIVE MEN. 



J. M. EDSALL, PriMcipal of School. 
JOS. GKEGO, Hardware. S. V. LAMSON'. Hardware. 

W. A. NASON, Pliysioian and Surgeon. 

U. W. THOMAS, Market. " <;KO. H. HEI.M. Hardware. 

JOHN T. KELAHAN, Postmaster. 



SVCIAl AJilD EDUCATIONAL 

SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL. 

Algonquin's Churches, Societies and School. 



^T\NE locating even temporarily in a village is interested to 
^*^ know what are the social, religious and educational advan- 
ages to be enjoyed. In these respects it is believed that Algon- 
quin stands quite in aJvance of most villages of its size, It has 
four churches, a good school, flourishing lodges, a brass band, 
dramatic society, and various other features of interest and im- 
portance. Algonquin's citizens are of the better class, and all 
meet upon a plane of equality. Social requirements are not ex- 
acting, but on the other hand no glaring breach of propriety is for 
a moment countenanced. Columbia Hail furnishes a fine place 
for entertainments of various kinds, which are of frequent occur- 
rence. 

St. Johns Protestant Episcopal Church, the earliest religious 
society in Algonquin, was organized in 1844 by Rev. Peter Ar- 
vidson. Meetings were held at the residence of the pastor up to 
1864 when a comfortable church edifice was erected. Rev. Ar- 
vidson remained the pastor of the church up to his death in 1880, 
a pastorate of thirty-six years' duration. Since him the pastors 
have been: Edward Ritchie, Dr. Cleveland, and the present in- 
cumbent, H. L. Hawthorne, of Carpentersville, who preaches for 
a church there Sunday mornings and at Algonquin in the after- 
noon. The present membership of the church here is twenty- 
two. A sabbath school of about thirty members is maintained, 
of which George Keyes is superintendent; and a woman's auxil- 
iary, of which Miss Lottie Keyes is president. 

The Congregational Church was the next society in order of 
establishment at Algonquin, being organized in 1850, by the Rev. 
I. C. Beach. The society worshipped mainly in school houses 
until 1866, when the present church edifice was built. Among 
the ministers who ofificiated during past time have been Rev. C. 
L. Hall, N. C. Clark, N. Shapley. E. C. Berge— 12 yrs.— Rev. J. 
D. Davis, I. B, Smith, T. Gulespie, W. W. Cutless, Miss Newman, 
Rev. Hill, Alfred Wray, '78, Rev. Andrich 1882, Rev. Huestis, C. 
C. Campbell, and Revs. Douglass, Hinch and Gaylord Elliott. 
The present membership of the church is twenty-five. Auxiliary 
organizations are, the Ladies' Aid Society, of which Mrs. F. D. 



10 A LGONQ UIN ILL US TRA TED. 

Shove is president; the Christian Endeavor, of which the officers 
are Grace White, president; F. D. Shove, vice president; Dora 
Dodd, recording secretary; Myrt Reser, corresponding secretary; 
and Bert Ford, Treasurer. The church and its societies are in a 
prosperous condition. 

K.ev. Gaylord Elliott, present pastor, has been with the church 
for six months past. He was born in Indiana, but Michigan has 
been his home for the greater part of his life. He has had pas- 
torates in Michigan and was for one year general Sunday school 
missionary in that state. He is a student of the Chicago Theo- 
logical Seminary, and was pastor of a church in that city one 
year before coming here. He has a wife and two children — boy 
and girl. 

The Free Methodist C/uirch wdiS org3.r\\zed dihowi 1871, with a 
membership of about twenty-two. The church is a part of the 
same circuit as that at Cary, and the same minister serves as pas- 
tor for both churches. The church edifice here was built about 
1874, the society also owning a parsonage adjoining. The fol- 
lowing have been the pastors: Revs. Baker, Voorhis, Miller, Kel- 
ley, Frink, Haley, Ferries, Rawson, Seymour, Newcomer, Sin- 
clair, Buss, Wilson, Fish, Burhans, Spencer, Austin, Brothers, 
Hales, Fish, and J. H. Woertendyke, the present pastor. 

St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Chiirch was organized at Al- 
gonquin in 1876, with 18 members; now 60. The society suffered a 
severe blow in the loss of their parsonage by fire a year ago, but 
now have nicely rebuilt. A school is maintained, with an enroll- 
ment of twenty-six pupils. Pastors of the church have been: 
Revs. Frese, Louis Schenk, Walter Schenk, and William Steffin, 
who died here in February of the present year. 

Rev. Paul Toerne, the present pastor, comes to the church from 
Wheeling, III., where he was pastor for two and one-half years. 
He has a wife, son and daughter. 

Algonquin School, Algonquin has for many years had a 
g>ood school. The present house of learning was erected in 1867. 
and is a two story brick structure. There are two rooms; in the 
higher, 40 pupils and in the lower 66, making a total' enrollment 
of 106. It is not strictly a graded school and cannot be said to 
have a high school course, though advanced studies, such as 
Rhetoric, Physiology, English History, Physical Geography, Al- 
gebra, Botany and Book-keeping are taken up. The school aims 
to qualify students to pass the County Superintendent's examina- 
tion for teacher's certificate. Both rooms are well equipped with 
maps, charts and other apparatus, and are doing good work, J. 



SOCIAL AMD EDUCATIONAL 11 

M. Edsall is principal and Miss Grace White has charge of the 
lower room. 

J. M. Edsall, principal, is a native of Buffalo, N. Y. where he 
has spent the greater part of his life. He was educated in the 
Buffalo High school, and Ottawa college, in which institution he 
took a scientific course and graduated with the class of '86. Mr. 
Edsall is now on his fourth year with the Algonquin school, 
a fact from which it may be inferred that his work is giving very 
general satisfaction. His wife is a native of Niagara Falls, Can- 
ada. They were married just before coming here. 

Modern Woodi/ien. Camp 490, Modern Woodmen of America, 
was organized at Algonquin in January, 1888, with a membership 
of eighteen. It has enjoyed a phenomenal growth, and now num- 
bers seventy-five members. A feature of importance, and one to 
which the lodge owes much of its popularity is a sick benefit — a 
sick neighbor being entitled to six dollars per week. There has 
been one death in the order — that of the late John Helm, Meet- 
ings are Tield in the old Masonic Hall, on the second and fourth 
Thursday evenings of each month. The officers for the present 
year are: John Johnston, Venerable Counsel; John Keyes, Worthy 
Adviser; John Peter, Banker; Frank Adamek, Clerk; Frank 
Gibbs, Escort; George Jayne, Watchman; James Sykes, "Sentry; 
Chas. Wandrack, James McKay, Henry Keyes, Managers. 

Knights of tJie Maccabees. Osceola Tent, No. 35, was organ- 
ized in December, 1893, with a membership of twenty-two which 
has since been increased to thirty. Meetings are held on the 
first and third Thursday evenings of each month in Woodmen, 
Hall. Officers are A. A. Stehlik, Sr. K. Past Com.; John John- 
ston, Commander; John 1'. Kelehan, Lieut. Com.; F. B. Thread- 
gold, Record Keeper; C. T. Daniels, Finance Keeper; Wm. A. 
Nason, Sir Knight Physician;George M. Bradley, Chaplain; Geo, 
H. Helm, Sergeant; George E. Morton, Master at Arms; J. H. 
Forbes, ist Master of Guards; Ed C, Peter, 2nd Master of Guards; 
J. D. Sensor, Sentinel; Walter M, Helm, Picket. 

The Lady Maccabees are new in the field, and their 'charter is 
no; yet closed, They meet on the first and third Friday even- 
ings of each month, in Woodmen Hall. The officers are: Mrs. 
L, M. Peter, Lady Commander; Mrs. C. T. Daniels, Lieut. Com- 
mander; Mrs. M, E. Helm, Past Commander; Miss Grace White, 
Record Keeper; Mrs. Nellie Threadgold, Finance Keeper; Mrs. 
S. Thomas, Sergeant; Miss Cora Jayne, Mistress at Arms; Miss 
Nettie Adamek, Sentry; Mrs. Lottie Keyes, Picket; Miss Annie 
Jayne, Chaplain. 



12 ALGOKQUIK ILLUSTRATED. 

The Masons have at present no organization in Algonquin, 
Chapter 256 having surrendered its charter in 1880, most of its 
members having moved away. A new interest is now bein^ tak- 
en, however, and there is a prospect that the Masons will again 
have a lodge running in Algonquin within the coming year. 

Algonquin Dramatic Club. The Algonquin Dramatic[ Club is 
an organization of some three years standing, the object of which 
is the occasional production of amateur dramas. About six plays 
are put upon the boards in the course of each year, and inasmuch 
as the entertainments are always given in behalf of some worthy 
enterprise, and manifest considerable talent on the part of the 
participants, they are well patronized. A year ago, in return for 
courtesies extended by the proprietor, the Club treated Colum- 
bia Hall to an entire new outfit of scenery and stage accessories, 
employing a talented Chicago artist. The ofificers of the Club 
are, J. M. Edsall, Manager, and E. C. Peter, Treasurer. 

Algonquin Band. Algonquin boasts a band, that, assiduously 
practicing twice a week, is developing considerable merit. It 
was organized in March, and was originally intended to be made 
up entirely of members of 'the Maccabees. Others have 'since 
been admitted, but it is still called the Maccabee Band. There 
are eighteen parts, taken as follows; 

Leader, D. Livingston; Solo B flat Cornet, Chas. Lobeck; fist B flat 
Cornet, Robt. Sbufeldt; 2nd B flat Cornet, Leon Helm; E flat Cornet, Gus. 
Shartow and Thos. McKay; Piccolo, "V. F. Kosar; Baritone, J. D. Sensor, 
1st Tenor, Geo. E. Morton; 2nd Tenor, Will E. Jayne; Ist Alto, Geo. H, 
Helm; 2nd Alto, A. J. Doig; B Bass, J. H. Forbes; E Flat Tuba, A. A. 
Stehlik; Snare Drum, F. B. Threadgold; Bass Drum, John Brundage; 
Solo Alto, Clarinet, not regularly taken. Officers of the Band are, Geo. 
H. Helm, President; Geo. H, Helm, Geo. E. Morton, Chas. Lobeck, 
Board of Directors. 




COMMERCIAL ASPECTS 13 



COMMERCIAL ASPECTS. 

A Rfview of Algonquin's Enterprising Business Men 
AND Substantial Citizens. 

ALGONQUIN, situated in the center of a rich dairy region, 
has long- enjoyed a most prosperous trade. Before the es- 
tabhshment of the condensing factory, two car loads and more 
of milk was brought in each day for shipment, and under the new 
regime the product of even a larger area is attracted. Local trade 
derives a two-fold advantage from a traffic which not only furn- 
ishes the farmer with the means with which to buy, but daily 
brings him within sight and touch of the goods offered. Busi- 
ness men in Algonquin have as a rule done well. Those now in 
trade are: 

H. G. Anderson, Confectioner, is a native of England, coming 
to America with his parents in 1871. Mr. Anderson has been 
located at various times at Aurora, Neb., where he was engaged 
in the well business; at St. Charles, where he followed cheese 
and butter-making; at Elgin where he was emplo}'ed in the watch 
factory six )xars. About three months ago he came to Algon- 
quin and engaged in the manufacture and sale of fine confection- 
ery. His wife is a daughter of C. C. Chunn of this village. They 
bare one child. 

H. A. BentJiHvscn, Blacksmith, was born in New York state, 
coming west with his parents in 1854. His father, Henry Ben- 
thu}'sen, settled in Algonquin and engaged first in the saloon 
business. A little later he went into the grocery business in 
the basement of the building now occupied b)' Andrew Doig 
as a residence. Then he went to Cary and engaged in black- 
smithing, but removed his shop to this place about i860. Here 
he was accidentally killed while repairing a reaper, 21 years 
ago. In the meantime the son had grown to manhood and 
learned the trade. At the time of his father's death he was 
working in Aurora, but returned and took charge of the shop 
for his mother one year, and the next bought it and has run 
it continuously ever s'nce. Mr. Benthuysen's wife was a daugh- 
ter of the late A. H. Harquest, of Nebraska, formerl)^ of this 
vicinit}\ They have three children, Charles, Irven and Lafey. 



14 ALGU.YQUIM ILLUSTRATED. 

Charles Biidilousky, Butcher, who succeeded John Vujtech in 
the meat business here about four months ago, was born in Bohe- 
mia, and came to Chicago 19 years ago. Was in business for 
himself six years before coming to Algonquin. Has a wife and 
two children. 

6'. C. Chunn, Dealer in Paints and Oils, settled within a few 
miles of Algonquin as early as 1837, ^nd at St. Charles as early 
as 1835. He has been postmaster here — up to a few months ago, 
— and otherwise identified with the business interests of the place, 
for many years, 

Chris. Cook, Dealer in Flour and Feed, is a native of Ger- 
many, coming to this country in 1866. He settled first at Bar- 
rington, but removed to Mc Henry county about fifteen years 
ago, running a farm north of Algonquin. For two years past 
he has resided in the village, and about four months ago en- 
gaged in his present line of business. His family consists of 
a wife and two sons, one assisting him in business and the 
other in school. 

C. T. Daniels, Druggist, is a native of Naperville, where his 
father is still a druggist. With him he learned the trade, work- 
ing in his father's store for seven years. Fifteen months ago he 
removed to Algonquin and has since been engaged in the drug 
business here. He has a wife and little daughter. 

Andreiv Doi^f^, Miller, came to Algonquin about 12 years ago, 
from Chicago where he had been in the real estate business and 
varied other lines. He purchased at that time the River Mill of 
George and William Peacock, who have since removed to Fulton, 
Mo. This mill he has run continually since, doing a feed grind- 
ing business mainly, but making some flour. The present year 
he has completely overhauled the interior of the mill, put in new 
machinery and is now preparing to make flour equal to the 
product of any mill, by the improved roller process. About nine 
years ago the Brick Mill on the other side of the river, through 
the financial difficulties of the owner, Mr. Marshall, came upon 
the market, and Mr. Doig purchased the same, running it 
until the disaster of seven years ago destroyed its usefulness. A 
full account of these two mills will be found under the head of 
manufacturing enterprises, Mr. Doig's family consists of two 
sons and three daughters. His wife died in August of the pres- 
ent year. Of the sons, James A. is engaged in a Chicago pack- 
ing house, and Andrew J. assists his father in the mill here. Of 
the daughters, Mrs. Agnes (Doig) McKay resides in this village 
— Mrs. Elizabeth (Doig) Munshaw is the wife of a farmer 21 



COMMERCIAL ASPECTS. 15 

north, and Miss Catherine H. — Kittie— is now the mistress of 
the home. 

Anton Fitzek, Billiards and Pool room. Mr. Fitzek is a Mora- 
vian by birth. Came to America in 1880, and settled in Chicago 
where he was engaged nine years in a wholesale clothing house, 
and also ran a cigar stand. He came to Algonquin four years 
ago, built the corner store where Gevers & Dworak now are and 
put in a stock of general merchandise. This business he sold to 
them a 3'ear ago, and went back to Chicago for several months. 
Returning to Algonquin in October he bought out J. H. Forbes' 
pool room and is now running that. He still owns the corner 
store and residence property. He has a wife, one son and three 
daughters. 

Christian Franke, for four years a member of the Village Board 
of Algonquin, is a native of Prussia, coming to America with his 
parents thirty years ago. The family settled at Barrington, and 
there after a few months the father died, followed a few years 
later by the death of the mother. Then young Chris, came to 
this county and made it his home with Jos. Winke, his uncle, on a 
farm a few miles east of this village, until old enough to strike 
out for himself. Then he went to Elgin, learned the carpenter's 
trade and built up quite a business as a contractor. Removing to 
this village eleven years ago, he continued to follow the same 
line of business up to this spring, when he bought out the saloon 
business of Jake Leonard, now of Huntley, and has since engaged 
in that. Mr. Franke has a wife — daughter of Fred Woolert — 
and two children 

C. H. Geister, Dealer in Flour and Feed, is a native of Prussia, 
coming to America with his parents about thirty years ago. The 
The family settled in Algonquin township, C. H. Geister, Senior, 
working a farm one and a half miles southwest up till his death 
five years ago. The subject of this sketch began life as a farmer. 
Eight years ago he went into the meat business for a year and a 
half. Four years ago he started in his present line of business 
He has a wife and one daughter, Anna. 

G. Geppert, Shoemaker, is a German by birth, coming to 
America about twelve years ago, sojourning for a few months 
at Dundee and then settling in this village. He has a wife 
and two children. 

Gevers & Dworak, General Merchants, have been in business in 
Algonquin for the past year and a half, succeeding Anton Fitzek 
who built and started the corner store. Of the firm,T. F. Gevers 



16 ALGOJ^QUIK ILLUSTRATED. 

was born and brought up at Wateitown, Wis., where his parents 
still live. He learned the tinner's trade and came to Gary about 
six years ago, working four years for Mr. Burton, hardware deal- 
er, and one year at the Minerva Spring bottling works, He is 
married and has one child. Frank Dworak is a native of Algon- 
quin township, born and brought up about three miles east of the 
village. Four or five years ago he went to Gary to work in a 
meat mi''k ::t. There he met Gevers and friendship eventually 
led to p.irLnership. He is unmarried. 

Grc'gg & Lainson, hardware dealers, are a new firm in business 
in Algonquin, succeeding John Nichols, now of Lodi, Wis., about 
eight months ago. Mr. Gregg is a native of La Salle county in 
this state, born and brought up in Freedom and Serena, and has 
spent most of his life as a farmer. He married Miss Jessie El- 
well, daughter of one of the earliest settlers in the town of Serena 
as far back as the time of the Indian massacre, when the sparse 
population of whites took refuge at Ottawa. Mrs. Gregg died 
three years ago in August, leaving her husband two children now 
in the care of his parents at Freedom. Since that sad breaking 
up of his home Mr. Gregg has engaged for a time in carpenter 
work, and then came here to go into the hardware business. --S. 
C. Lamson was also from Serena, La Salle county. He learned 
the tinner's trade, and worked at it there six years and a year at 
Hampshire. Then he came here to work for the late John Helm, 
and an opportunity offering to buy out Nichols he interested his 
friend Gregg in the proposition, with the result above stated. 
Mrs, Lamson was a Miss Mclnturf, also from Serena. 

yphn Helm Estate, Hardware. John Helm came to Algonquin 
with his partner, John Peter, in 1869, and up to his death in April 
of the present year was engaged in the hardware business here. 
He leaves a widow and three sons; George Helm, now in charge 
of the store, and also Village Clerk; Walter, employed in the con- 
densing factory, and Leon, assisting in the store. The only daugh- 
ter died of diphtheria at the age of fourteen. 

yokn Janock, Dealer in Agricultural Implements has been in 
business here for about four years past. He has had an interest 
in this village a much longer time, however, having been born 
and brought up but a few miles east. He has a wife and three 
children. 

Joseph Johnsen, Blacksmith and carriage maker, was born near 
Milwaukee, Wis., but has sojourned at various times in Iowa, 
Colorado and Illinois. In this state he has plied his trade at Chi- 
cago, Dundee and Algonquin, running a shop here for the past 



COMMERCIAL ASPECTS. 17 

twelve years. He has a wife, one son and four daughters, all a!; 
home. 

John Johnston, Undertaker and Furniture Dealer, is a native 
of Scotland, coming to America in 1867. Up to October, 188 1, 
when he came to Algonquin, he worked in Chicago at the ma- 
chinist's trade. Since coming here he has been engaged \n 
his present line, and for the past few } ears has also been asso- 
ciated with Mr. John Peter in the lumber business. Mr. Johi.- 
ston has ever been an earnest advocate of local improvements, 
and was one of the few agitators who assisted so materially in 
bringing about the incorporation of the village. He was mem- 
ber of the first Board; has since been Clerk, and is now again 
a member of the Board. He has also been a member of the 
school board for a number of years. Mr. Johnston's wife died 
three years ago. He has three sons; one employed at the depot, 
aud two in school. 

Thos. Kabo)i, Proprietor of Columbia Hall, is a native of Bo- 
hemia, coming to this country in 1872, and settling at Chicago, 
where he resided eleven years, pljang the trade of tailor and also 
running a saloon. Eleven years ago he came to Algonquin and 
engaged in business, and also bought quite a strip of property on 
the main street, upon which he has since been continually making- 
improvements. Greatest of these was the erection, two years ago 
of a handsome brick block 52x80 feet, costing upwards of twelve 
thousand dollars. Below are two fine stores, and above, a splen- 
did hall Mr. Kabon's family consists of a wife and five children 
— three sons and two daughters. 

John T. Kelahan, Postmaster, is a native of this locality, born 
on the same place where he still lives, | of a mile west. His peo- 
ple were from Ireland. The father died in 1875; ^^^ mother still 
living on the homestead. The subject of the present sketch has 
been in the stock business for several years past, buying fat cattle 
for the Chicago market, and bringing in fresh milch cows to sup- 
the local dairymen. He has been postmaster since September, 
1893, succeeding C. C. Chunn. 

CJiarles Kern, Wagon Maker, is a native of Germany, coming to 
America with his parents twenty-nine years ago. The family 
first settled in Chicago but later in Green Bay, Wis. There Mr. 
Kern learned the wagon maker's trade. In 1878 he went to El- 
gin, remaining there till ten years ago he came to Algonquin and 
established himself in business here. Mr. Kern has a wife, daugh- 
ter of Fred Golterman, and two children — boy and girl. 



18 ALGOAQUJN JLLUSIRATLD. 

V. F. Kosar keeps the only exclusive shoe store in Algonquin 
and does a repairing business in connection. He has been lo- 
cated here since April, 1894. Prior to that he had been in the 
same line of business four years in Chicago, Mr. Kosar is a na- 
tive of Bohemia, coming to America in 1880, at the age of 15, 
settling in Chicago. He removed from the city to this place for 
his health and is so well pleased with this locality that he ex- 
pects to make Algonquin his permanent home. He has a wife 
and two small children — a bo}- and a girl. He is a naturalized 
American citizen. 

Edivard Morton, Jr., Proprietor of the Algonquin hotel. The 
Mortons were early settlers here, coming from New York state to 
Algonquin in 1849, ^"^ settling on a farm in this township, Ed- 
ward, Jr., has resided in the village for the past eighteen years or 
more, working at the carpenter's and painter's trades until five 
years ago he bought the village hotel then owned by Charles Pin- 
gry, and has since devoted himself mainly to the hotel business, 
with livery stable in connection. He has a wife and two children; 
George, the son being proprietor of the village dra)'' business, and 
Lottie, the daughter, still in school. His father, P^dward Morton, 
Sen., resides with them. 

IV A. ^'ason, A. M., M. D.. at present Algonquin's only physi- 
cian, was a native of Maine, but early exchanged the rugged sur- 
roundings of the old Pine Tree state for the more cultured and 
congenial aspects of Boston. Here and at Chicago he grew to 
manhood. He graduated at Williams College, Mass., one of the 
oldest institutions in the country, in 1864, with the degree of A. 
B.. subsequently exchanged on account of post graduate studies 
for that of A. M. Mr. Nason then pursued a course at the Chi- 
cago Medical College, from which he graduated with the class of 
'66. A supplementary course was taken at the renowned 
Bellevue Hospital, and thus thoroughly equipped in learning the 
Doctor engaged in practice as contract surgeon for the govern- 
ment, in Virginia, serving at Gordonsville and Yorktown six 
months each. Coming west in 1868 the doctor settled in practice 
at Algonquin. Drs. Bently and Young who were here at that 
time soon moved away, and Dr. Nason has had the field to him- 
self most of the time since. While enjoying the confidence and 
esteem of all of the citizens of the village and surrounding coun- 
try, the doctor's reputation is much more than a local one. For 
the past year he has been president of the Fox River Valley 
Medical Association, a gathering of the regular school of physi- 
cians from Ottawa to the Wisconsin line, and had been vice pres- 
ident of the association for the year previous. The doctor is a 



COMMERCIAL ASPECTS. 19 

close student of current history and has written much for the 
local and metropolitan press. He is also much devoted to the 
study of natural history and has one of the largest collections of 
shells and insects in the state. He has a magnificent library. 
The doctor's family consists of wife and three children. He is 
now police magistrate and has been school director for 15 years. 

VV. H. Oi^bin, Dealer in Agricultural Implements, has been as- 
sociated with the interests of Algonquin for forty years past, and 
has been in varied lines of business. For several years past he 
has been handling implements, carriages and wagons, in which 
line he enjoys a good business. 

JoJin Peter, Merchant and President of the Village Board, is a 
native of Harlem, N. Y , but came to Chicago with his parents as 
early as 1842. The family were farmers, and the son followed 
agricultural pursuits in Cook County till 1862. In that year he 
enlisted in the Northern army for three years' service, in Co. K., 
88th III. infantr)'. While at the front he saw hard service, taking 
part in the campaign through Kentucky and Tennessee, at Atlan- 
ta, battle of Stone River, Missionary Ridge, and was finally taken 
prisoner at Franklin, Tenn., and for five months suffered the hor- 
rors of the Rebel prison at Andersonville, At the close of the 
war Mr. Peter farmed it for two years, and then went into the 
hardware business, forming a partnership with the late John Helm 
and starting a store at Ca'edonia, Boone Count}^ A year later, 
that is in 1869, they moved their business to Algonquin. The 
partnership continued up to the death of Mr. Helm, a few months 
since, though Mr. Peter has been in a separate mercantile business 
since 1885. He has also been in the lumber business since 1880, 
associated at first with Helm. Then B. B. Stewart bought an 
interest, and the firm became Peter & Stewart; and then Mr, 
Johnston succeeded Mr, Stewart, since which the firm has been 
styled l^eter & Johnston, Mr. Peter was first President of the Vil- 
lage Board, and again fills that office, after two years' intermis- 
sion, and has been township treasurer si ice 1884. He has a 
wife and three children. 

y. D. Sensor, Blacksmith, was born in this state but spent most 
of his early life in Iowa. He came to Algonquin a little over a 
year ago and is doing a general black^mithing and rtpairing bus- 
ness, occupying wfth Charles Kern the shop next to the river 
bridge. Mr. Sensor's family consists of a wife — neeM.\ss Schuring 
from Dundee— and one child. 

T. B. Threadgold, Barber, came to Algonquin with his parents 
in 1869. His step-father, George Marshall bought the Brick Mill 



20 ALGONQUIN ILLUSTRATED, 

and ran it about fifteen years. Mr. Threadgold learned the mill- 
ing trade and worked five years in the mill. Then he took to 
painting and shaving, plying the brush five days in the week and 
\.\\t razor evenings and Saturdays. Four years ago the barber 
business had increased to an extent to warrant him in depending 
upon it for a livelihood, and accordingly he gave up painting. 
His wife is a daughter of C. C. Chunn. They have three sons. 

D. W. Thomas, Proprietor of Algonquin Market, was born at 
Cary in Algonquin township, in 1852; his father, a native of New 
York state, now at Carthage, Mo., residing there for some years. 
Mr. Thomas tilled the soil up to 1875, when he went to Chicago 
and engaged for a couple of years in the milk business. Return- 
ing to this vicinity he farmed another two years; since which he 
has devoted himself mainly to buying and dealing in stock, and 
raising trotting horses. Two years ago he started a market in 
til- new Columbia hall block, where he still conducts a successful 
b isiness. Mr. Thomas is now Village Treasurer, and prior to that 
was for several years a member of the Village Board. His a\ ife 
is a daughter of Edward Morton. 

Charles Vandcr A?ie, Barber, was born at Cedar Rapids, Iowa 
but has lived in Chicago the main part of his life. He received 
his schooling there, and learned the barber's trade. Came to 
Algonquin about sixteen months ago and opened a shop He 
is unmarried. 

Louis Vander Aiie, Tailor, is a native of Bohemia, coming to 
Chicago eleven years ago, where he learned his trade. Four 
years ago he removed to Algonquin and engaged in business, 
and soon afterward erected the double store building aow occupied 
by him. He has a wife and one child. 

Chas. Wandrack, Harness-maker, a resident of Algonquin for 
the past twenty-eight years, was boin and brought up in Chicago. 
His father, Joseph Wandrack, located here in the sixties, and 
started a harness shop across the street from the present one, 
where he continued in business until his death, sixteen years ago. 
The son succeeded him in business, building and removing to the 
present quarters about twelve years ago. Mr. Wandrack is one 
of the most progressive spirits in the village; has been President 
of the Villacfe Board two terms, and constable twelve }'ears. 
He h iS a wife; a daughter. T.ura M., and a son, M. J. H is moth 
er, Mrs. Mary Wandrack, is still a resident of this village. 

JoJin Wandrack, Dealer in Wines, Liquors and Cigars, was 
born in Chicago, but removed to this village with his parents at 



COMMERCIAL ASPECTS. 21, 

the early age six months. Reaching manhood he worked for a 
time at the machinist's trade; and then drove a truck for the \ 
American Express Co., in Chicago. After a short time as team- - 
ster in Elgin, he went back to Chicago and engaged for some 
months in the milk business there. Being taken sick he gayp 
that up and returned to Algonquin, For four years he followed, 
the trade of painter and then engaged in the saloon business. 
He has been running a saloon by himself since May. 

P. M. Wollaver, Blacksmith, has been in business in Algonquin 
for the past twenty years. He was born in New York state, the 
family removing to Illinois and settling at Dundee, in 1844. Mr. 
Wollaver made that place his headquarters for thirty years, 
though he sojourned at times in California, Minnesota and Wis- 
consin. He enlisted in the army of the Union in 1862, serving ' 
ninety days in the 69th 111. Infantry, Co. B. under Capt. Josly-n 
Mr. Wollaver has three daughters. His wife died two years 
ago- 

L. H. Wenholz^ General Merchant, was born and brought up 
in Dundee, where he clerked six years in the establishmt nt of 
H. E. Hunt. In 1880 he came to Algonquin and forming a 
partnership with James Philp, Jr., bought out the general mer- 
cantile business of Frank Tomisky, now of Cary. Since Mr. 
Philp's retirement from the firm, June first of the present year, 
Mr. Wenholz has conducted the business in his own name. He 
has £^ wife and three children. 

Among those not named above, who by reason of long resi- 
dence, of!iciaI position or past business interests should be men- 
tioned in this connection, are: 

Frank Adantek, Bohemian by birth, who settled with his par- 
ents on a farm four miles east of Algonquin, in 1857. The writ- 
er has it upon good authority that the Adamek family were the 
very first of the Bohemian settlers that have since become so en- 
terprising and energetic an element in the population of this lo- 
cality. John Adamek, the father, died in 1872, but the mother 
still lives, residing with her son in this village. Mr. Adamek has 
spent most of the time up to four years ago on the farm. Since 
that time he has resided in Algonquin village. He is agent for 
a number of insurance companies, and has been Constable for two 
years. He has a wife, two sons and five daughters. 

Henry Keyes, County Treasurer. Algonquin was represented 
in the recent choice of county ofificers by the election of Henry 
Keyes for County Treasurer. Mr. Keyes was born in Du Page 



22 ALGONQUIN ILLUSTRATED, 

Co., this state, his parents being early settlers from New York, 
The family removed to Algonquin in 1849, purchasing a farm 
one mile north of the village. There the father resided until his 
death in 1866, and the mother still owns the place, being now 
ninety years of age, and the oldest person in the township. The 
subject of the present sketch is said to have been the first man 
from McHenry Co. to enter the service of his country in the war 
of the Rebellion, enlisting in Co. F., 15th 111. Infantry, and going 
out in May, '61, Since the war Mr. Keyes has worked mainly at 
the carpenter's trade. For twelve years he was town clerk; for 
two years, assessor; for two years Justice of the Peace, and for 
two years collector. His family consists of his wife, adopted son 
and his mother. They recently removed to Woodstock where 
Mr, Keyes took charge of the County's finances December ist. 

R. B. McKee, Commissioner of Highways, is a nati\'e of New 
York State, coming with his parents to Waukegan in 1856. 
There the family resided for some years, and there young Robert 
got most of his schooling. In 1862 his father, J.L, McKee came 
here and bought the River Mill, and the family removed to this 
place. The McKee's ran the mill for only about two years, after 
which Robert turned his attention to farming, which he followed 
up to eight years ago, when he was elected Road Commissioner 
for the first time — an oflfice which he has since filled without in- 
termission. He has a wife — daughter of Henry Tubbs of this 
place — and six daughters. The only son died in infancy. 

Howard Phillips, Member of the Village Board, is a native of 
Pennsylvania, coming west with his parents and settling on the 
same place where he still resides, in 1851. The father died seven 
years ago, and the mother three, but Howard and his brother 
Wiilett have had charge of the farm for many years. He is mar- 
ried and has two sons, Robert and Walter, both at home. 

yanies Philp, though not now connected in any official or bus- 
iness capacity with the interests of Algonquin, has in years gone 
by served in both such capacities, and is still interested as a cit- 
izen and property owner in whatever concerns the prosperity of 
the village. Mr. Philp was born in England; came to America 
in 185 I, and after a few months spent in Chicago, settled here, in 
1852, At that time there were not more than seven or eight 
houses in the place, Mr. Philp started a blacksmith shop and 
worked industriously at his trade till 1872, when having acquired 
a competence, he retired from business. Having the requisite 
means and leisure, Mr, Philp has been able to gratify his inclina- 
tion to travel, and has been five times to Europe, once around 



iLcfC. 



COMMERCIAL ASPECTS- 23 

the world, beside sundry lesser trips to Florida, Mexico and Cal- 
ifornia. Mr. Philp was Justice of the Peace for almost a quarter 
of a century, and school director and trustee for many years, but 
of late has shaken off these public duties and purposes to spend 
the remainder of his days in complete retirement. He has a wife, 
two sons and two daughters. One son, Volney, is in the hard- 
ware business at Colton, Cal.; the other, James Philp, Jr., resides 
here and has until recently been in the mercantile business. One 
daughter is the wife of C. E. Chapell, and the other is at home. 

Still others who from business or official capacity, or long res- 
idence, should be named in this department, are: C, E. CJiapcll, 
dealer in stock, land, etc.; V\ N. Ford, town clerk; George Jayne, 
carpenter; JoJin Keyes, carpenter; F. B. Shove, superintendent of 
condensing factory; B. B. Stewart, station agent; Henry Tubbs, 
for many years wagon-maker, now retired; Frank Yerkes, city 
marshal. Old residents: John A/bright, Mrs. Aldrich, \\ . H. 
BensoJi, George Dodd, JoJui Dvnn, William Dtain, Fred Dwcn zing, 
Peter Extrom, Elmer Ford, RieJiard Gillian, Isaac Klinck, Vvil- 
liam Lade, James J\Jattas, Josef h Mattas, Sylvene Seeber, Robert 
SJnifeldt. 



% 




£^^m^ 









24 ALGOJ^QUIX ILLUSTRATED. 

POSSIBILITIES FOR MANUFAC 

TURK. 

Developed and Undeveloped. 



ALGONQUIN is admirably situated for certain lines of man- 
ufacture. Whatever concerns the dairy, whether it may be 
in the nature of a requirement or a product, can be advantageous- 
ly manufactured here, for the village lies in the midst of the 
greatest milk-producing area on the globe. Condensing of this 
product is already engaged in on a large scale. The manufacture 
of flpur and feed from grain imported from the northwest, though 
yet in the experimental stage, bids fair to become a feature of 
inriportance. The C. & N. W. Railway, by its numerous connect- 
ing lines, gives the shipper ready access to all points of the com- 
pass; and the manufacturer in whatever line, will find here an in- 
telligent, industrious class of labor, and a place where strikes and 
labor unions are unknown. 

Water and Power. A first requisite in any line of manufac- 
ture, is an abundant and unfailing supply of water. For ordinary 
purposes the Fox River, flowing through the village, furnishes 
this. Flowing wells are to be obtained anywhere at a depth of 
not more than sixty feet, and should the various mineral proper- 
ties be objectionable, deeper borings will bring up water quite 
free from them. Water-power to the amount of five hundred 
horse power is supplied by the river which is here dammed to 
give a fall of four and one half feet; only about one fourth of 
such power now being utilized. The site of the old brick mill 
has provision for a twenty-two-foot head of water of sufficient 
volume to run a turbine of fifty horse-power. It is a splendid site 
for a wood-working shop, or something of kindred nature, and 
can be leased of the owner, Andrew Doig, on reasonable terms. 
Complete protection from fire will be provided by a system of 
public water works, the plans and specifications for which are al- 
ready made, and will be executed during the coming season. 

The Illinois Condensing Co., a branch of the New York Con- 
densed Milk Co., has works at Algonquin. As one out of eleven 
factories controlled by the Gail Borden interest, the factory here 
is part of a great and wealthy corporation. These works were 
established especially for the production of the Peerless Brand of 





RICHARD GILLIAN. 



JOHN" PKTEK. 




JOHN JOHNSTON. 





CHAS. WANDRACK. 



THOS. KABON. 



POSSIBILITIES OF MANUFACTURE. 27 

Evaporated Cream (unsweetened), but the exigencies of the bus- 
iness have been such of late that the factory is now putting out 
the bulk of its product in the well-known Gail Borden brands of 
sugared milk, — the Eagle, Crown and Daisy. About eight hun- 
dred cans of milk are daily taken at the factory. It is bought on 
half-yearly contracts, and the prices paid range usually a little 
higher than the farmer clears from shipment. Then there is the 
added advantage that but one set of cans is required instead of 
two, and these are thoroughly cleansed by steam, saving the 
hoasewife a deal of h ird labo •. On the other hand the contracts 
under which the milk is bought are very rigid. Strict cleanliness 
and thorough co' kng of the milk are insisted upon. The facto- 
ry's inspector must have access to the premises at all times, and 
the stables must be whitewashed at Ijnst once during the six 
months. . In the f cto:y about seventy-five hands are employed, 
one-third being girls. By the conden'^ing pi o:ess here employed, 
the milk is evaporated to about one fouith its bulk, in vacuum 
pans, and sugar added if dc.irju. Tli^ piocess has been so far 
perfected, however, that sugar is no longi r required to insure 
keeping qualities, but it is still added to most brands of condensed 
milk for the reason that consumers have become so accustomed 
to the sweetened product that they are slow to appreciate any- 
thing else. The factory is splendidly equipped for power, having 
three Mohr boilers each i6 feet by 54 inches; one Bridgeport, 16 
feet by 60 inches; one Bridgeport 16 feet by 54 inches, 120 lbs. 
pressure for heating milk; two engines, of 25 and 40 horse power; 
one pump connecting with the river, having a capacity of thiee 
hundred gallons per minute. For ordinary purposes a well 2.500 
feet in depth and having a capacity of fifty gallons per minute, 
gives a sufficient supply of water. Preparations are making to 
receive milk the coming season by weight instead of measure. 
In this way variations in the size of cans will be corrected, and 
more equal justice done to all, The superintendent of the fac- 
tory is Mr. F. B. Shove, for seven years book-keeper for the East 
Elgin factory. 

The Chicago Gravel, Mining and Construction Co. have their 
basis of operations about one mile north of the village. It is a 
gravel-washing plant, the gravel being mined by a new process — 
first saturated with water and then drawn from the bed and 
through a tube b}^ a powerful vacuum pump said to do the work 
of forty men. The Company aim to furnish washed gravel f)f a 
uniform grade for roofing and paving, and fine sand for building 
purposes. 

The River Miit. Algonquin's flourishing grinding and flouring 
mill, of which Andrew Doig is proprietor, has already been re- 



28 



ALGOJ^QUIX ILLUSTRATED. 



ferred to in former pages, and little, therefore, can be said here 
without danger of repetition. The main business of the mill has 
always been the grinding of feed, fifteen to twenty loads a day 
being ground during the busy season. To keep the mill running 
during the dull months, Mr. Doig has put in a complete, new out- 
fit for the manufacture of flour, having a capacity of forty barrels 
a day. The best Minnesota wheat is used, and three grades of 
flour produced, viz.. Straight, Patent and Baker's, These brands, 
it is to be hoped, will soon meet with favor on the market; the 
bran and other refuse products always commanding ready sale at 
good prices. 

The above list of local industries is not long — not so extended 
a list as most of our citizens would like to have it. There is 
plenty of room for more manufacturing enterprises. Those seek- 
ing a location would do well to investigate the merits of Algon- 
quin. Local capital can be enlisted in behalf of any worthy en- 
terprise, ?/ the enterprise be worthy. Correspondence along this 
line should be addressed to JOHN PETER. President of the Village 
Board, Algonquin, 111. 




HE MSTHETIC 29 

THE ^ESTHETIC SIDE. 

What Algonc^uin Has to R_commend yy i^ s k Summer 

Resort. 



AS did the dusky aborigines of the fair prairies of Ilh'nois 
delight to pitch their wigwams in the pleasant valleys and 
along the placid waters of the Fox; delighted to lure from its 
depths the wily but much prized muscallonge, and the more ple- 
beian but still desirable, bass, pike, perch and bull-head; delight- 
ed to drink from the many rills gushing forth from every hill-side: 
so too the summer visitor to Algonquin in this later day may here 
get close to Nature's heart; may gaze upon the same everlasting 
hills. — the same scene, robbed but of its loneliness, — drink from 
the same springs, and if he be a disciple of Isaac Walton, capture 
remote descendants of the same finny tribes that sported in the 
same streams in the century past. It is indeed a delightful spot 
to spend a summer. 

Fishing. For fishing there is no better point on the Fox Riv- 
er than at Algonquin. Early in the season come the bull-heads; 
they are a popular game fish and are caught by hundreds. Then 
come silver bass and perch; and then the king of fish, the picker- 
el or muscallonge. These ordinarily range in size from i^ to lO 
pounds. There is a tradition, however, of a muscallonge once 
actually caught near the mill, weighing 26 pounds, to say noth- 
ing of many monsters that got away. Closing the season come 
black bass and wall-eyed pike. The fish are in readiness so soon 
as the season opens: likewise the small boy, anxious to skirmish 
for frogs or dig bait, for a reasonable consideration. Let the en- 
thusiastic angler hie himself to Algonquin, for full enjoyment of 
his sport. 

Boating. A broad sweep of river, without dams, ipids or 
shallows, from Algonquin to Fox Lake, twenty miles distant, 
gives full play to sail and oar. The scenery along the river is 
varied from low banks and pastured slopes, to steep hills and 
wooded dales, making a shifting panorama quite charming to the 
eye. During the past season a trim little steamboat, the Bt//c- 



30 ALGONQUIN ILLUS TRA TED. 

of Cahinict, has been placed en the river here. It is owned by 
local capital, F. C. Gibbs, B. 13. Stewart, F. D. Shove, James 
Seyk and George Helm being stock holders. F. C. Gibbs is 
captain and manager. The boat is a screw-propellor, 28 feet in 
length; 7 feet beam; draws 26 inches of water; is rated at ten tons 
burden; and carries twenty- five to twenty-seven persons. Pow- 
er is supplied by an eight-horse power compound engine. Dur- 
ing the season trips are made at stated intervals to Gary bridge 
and Basswood island, and are well patronized. It can also be 
chartered for special excursions. Ordinary boats can be rented 
of the proprietor of the hotel. 

Mineral IVatei's. The numerous springs already referred to 
are of a wide variety of mineral characteristics, iron being a pre- 
dominating element. Water from them has medicinal properties, 
making Algonquin a most healthful community, for the visitor as 
well as the permanent resident. 

Cavipiitg: Splendid camping grounds are to be secured by 
those who may prefer to eat and sleep away from the haunts of 
man. The supplies that may be necessary to the success of such 
an adventure, are readily to be obtained of sj mpathizing neigh- 
bors. 

Early Associaiions. Those delighting in stories of adven- 
ture can be accommodated by some of the old residents, for coun- 
terfeiters, horse thieves and black-legs of all descriptions thrived 
here in the early day. Up the river about a mile, a few ^rushes 
mark the site of Bogus island, where the late Allan Pinkerton is 
said to have done his first detective work in routing a gang of 
counterfeiters, back about '50. 

Many Visitors. Year by year more people come to spend the 
summer months at Algonquin, until the village hotel and all other 
available accommodations are crowded to the utmost, and it is 
necessary to make engagements weeks in advance to be sure of 
accommodations at all. A summer hotel is an imperative need 
and some one experienced in the business cannot find a safer in- 
vestment anywhere, or one more sure of good returns, than to 
build and equip here a summer house of from one hundred to one 
hundred and fifty rooms. 



]k STONE FRONT MMM. 

-fOF THE4^ 

JOHN HELM ESTATE 

is HEADQUARTERS for all kinds of 

I GENERAL HARDWARE J 




-f AND-f 



ASTOVESA 




COOKING 
ANoHEftTING 

STOVES, 

For Wood, Coal, Gasoline 
or Oil. 




AsTovEs,:', 




A Ftiii I^ine of 



CARPENTER'S and MECHANIC'S TOOLS, 
Tin, Sheet Iron and Copper Ware. 

Of the Best Grades of Pocket and Table 
Cutlery, including 



BLACK 



DIAMOND 



Hand Forged and Fully Warranted, BUTCHER, STICKING 
SKINNING. BREAD, CARVER, and KITCHEN KNIVES. 




GEO. H. HELM, Manager, 






Is the ... 

Ftite^t l^tace in T^ovvm^ 

. . IF . . 

An Elegant Outfit, 

Gentlemanly Treatment, and Fine, Old 

Wines I Uic|iiors 



Count for Soitiethiiig. . . 

JOHN WANDRACK, Proprietor, 

Algonquin, Illinois, 



HOTEL MORTON. 



ED. MORTON. JR., 

Proprietor. 



/\ ©lean h^ome-lil^e Q)toppin^ "PUce 
for "T^ran^ient (^nd "Tourist. 



ONLY $1 PER DAY, 

Special Rates by the week. 



Algonquin possesses Speeial Advantages in 
the way of Fishing, Boating and 
Fine Scenery, making it a Delightful 
Place to Spend the Sunnner Mo.'iths. 

In Algonquin - - - 

HOTEL MORTON IS 1K£ PLACE TO STOP 



Fihg Livery in connection. 



lOHN PETER, 






'ealer m' 



[RAL MERtmiNBISE 



INCLUDING 



DRY GOODS, CriOCZRIES, BOOTS AND 
SHOES, HATS AND CAPS, 
CROCKERY. JEWELRY, WALL 
PAPER AND 

CLOTHING. 



EV ERYTHING in stock ordinarily to 
be found in a First Class Gen- 
eral Store. . . Prices Right. 






m. 



^.fe 



JOHN PETER, 



Algonquin, III, 



i 



THE INQUIRY OF EVERY ONE WISHING TO BUY GOODS 

SHOULD BE^.^-«onE^^ 

Not How Cheap But How Durable. 



No matter what may be said it amounts to Uttio or absolutely' nothing, 
, UNLESS QUALITIES AND PRICES ARE RIGHT. On this point 1 
^^^ leave^it to your own good judgement. I solicit a portion of your 
trade, and am bound to have it if Honest Representa- 
tion, Durable Goods and Low Prices will 
Secure it: I keep constantly on hand a complete line of. 

Light and Heavy Harness, 

SADDLES,^ BRIDLES, COLLARS, HAL- 
TERS, BLANKETS, ROBES, 

CURRY COMBS, BRUSHES, HARNESS OIL, Etc. 



Repairing Heallj and Pionplly Done, 



I shall strive in the future as well as in the past to 
merit your confidence and trade. When in 
want of WHIPS, or any other goods in my 
line, kindl}' call and examine my stock and 
prices. ... 

CHAS. WANDRACK, 

ALGONQUrN, 





'3XW^i-2-^l _^#^jriff^te>^^'- ^A^fe'l 



D. W. TttOMftS, 

proprleior. 



m^ 



f\ full Line of 

rnESn, Sai^T and SM©K£0 
♦ ♦ ♦ M£aTS, ♦ . 

FISH AND GAME IN SEASON. 



pRiME CiiicftGo Dressed Beef 



ALWAYS ON HAND. 



M » M 



Also Canned Goods, Fruits and 
Vegetables, 

D. W. THOMAS. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



014 610 021 1 r 



